01/31/2022
Shalom
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (NKJV)
I like this quote from Charles Spurgeon:
“Understand that you must not look upon the possession of joy and peace as being the absolutely necessary consequence of your being saved. A man may be in the lifeboat, but the lifeboat may be so tossed about that he may still feel himself exceedingly ill and think himself to be still in peril. It is not his sense of safety that makes him safe, he is safe because he is in the lifeboat, whether he is sensible of this or not. Understand then that joy and peace are not infallible or indispensable evidences of safety, and that they are certainly not unchangeable evidences.”
There may be times when we doubt whether we have the joy and peace we should have as Christians. Certainly, joy and peace may be our usual element, but circumstances may challenge how we feel. This may happen more often for new Christians, but even mature Christians may have struggles in these areas.
I believe the promises found in Isaiah 26:3 and II Thessalonians 3:36, that I can claim the Shalom of Christ at all times, keeping my focus on Christ Jesus, trusting in the Father’s will and plan. As we practice the reality of the Holy Spirit with us and in us, we can find that peace that passes understanding, regardless how things may feel (John 14:25-27).
Shalom in Christ,
Pastor Bill
